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Here is a sampling of links and notes about Carolina people and programs cited recently in the media:

Regional Coverage

New Study Shows Airport’s Impact
The Memphis Daily News (Tennessee)

As far as economic engines go, it’s long been known that Memphis International Airport has the power of a 747. A new study released this week confirmed the airport’s muscle, estimating that Memphis International pumps $28.6 billion into the region’s economy and provides, directly or indirectly, 34.3 percent – or one in three – local jobs. …The study’s findings bolster business and civic leaders’ concept of Memphis as an aerotropolis, the catchy phrase coined by University of North Carolina business professor John Kasarda.

Tom Tancredo continues his free-speech tour at Providence College (Blog)
The Denver Westword (Denver, Colo.)

Since leaving Congress earlier this year, past Westword profile subject Tom Tancredo has been taking his immigration-reform crusade to college campuses around the country — and as documented in Alan Prendergast's April 15 blog "Obnoxious North Carolina Students Leave Tom Tancredo Speechless," he hasn't always been greeted with kind words and open arms. Rhode Island's Providence College is the latest institution of higher learning to give Tancredo the Heisman — but on Wednesday, he showed up at the institution anyhow, where he was greeted by the protesters seen in the video above chanting, "Tom Tancredo, go away! Racist, sexist, anti-gay!"

Rosen: Free speech for some (Opinion-Editorial Column)
The Denver Post (Colorado)

Former Colorado congressman Tom Tancredo was recently invited to the University of North Carolina to share his views on U.S. immigration policy and tuition subsidies. Even before he began his talk in a UNC classroom on April 14, protesters stood with signs and banners, shouted obscenities and otherwise behaved rudely. Just a few minutes into his speech, when Tancredo made a reference to illegal immigrants, demonstrators moved to the front of the room, blocking the audience's view of Tancredo with a banner that read: "No one is illegal."
Related Link:
http://www.news-press.com/article/20090501/OPINION/905010381/1015

State and Local Coverage

UNC Suspends Study Abroad Trip To Mexico
WNCN-TV (NBC/Raleigh)

Five UNC students are in Jalapa, Mexico as part of a study abroad program that officials have now suspended due to the H1N1 virus, formerly known as swine flu. Dr. Robert Miles, Associate Dean for Study Abroad and International Exchanges, said they are working on getting the students back to the United States. He said none of the students are exhibiting any symptoms of H1N1, but he said have been given guidance on how to monitor their health.
Related Link:
http://www.wchl1360.com/details.html?id=10244

'Mystery Diagnosis" show features teen's illness
The Chapel Hill Herald

…When the symptoms appeared a third time a physician sent the Greensboro teen to the North Carolina Children's Hospital in Chapel Hill, where, Muge Calikoglu, a pediatric geneticist, diagnosed the problem: carnitine palmitoyltransferase 2 deficiency, a rare genetic disorder that is often fatal in small children, and can be severely debilitating in young adults, according to a news release from the hospital. The unusual case caught the attention of the Discovery Health Channel program "Mystery Diagnosis," and it premiered Allison's story on Monday. The program likely will air multiple times, with the first rebroadcast at 5 p.m. on Saturday.

Genetic disorder has warning signs
The Chapel Hill Herald

Muge Calikoglu, a pediatric geneticist at UNC, said there are several warning signs to indicate a patient may be suffering from the genetic disorder carnitine palmitoyltransferase 2 deficiency. "The symptoms to watch for [are] chronic fatigue, exercise intolerance and pain in your joints and your muscles, cramps and change in urine color, like a dark brown urine color, which is an indication of muscle breakdown," she said.

Heels to the chief (Under the Dome)
The News & Observer (Raleigh)

Next stop for the Tar Heels: The White House. The country's B-baller-in-chief will host the UNC-Chapel Hill men's team May 11 at the White House. The team was invited by President Barack Obama for a ceremony in honor of its NCAA championship this year. Details about the White House event remain sketchy, but here's some background: Obama practiced with the UNC team during the 2008 presidential campaign.

Historic house brimming with Gaston's mill village heritage
The Charlotte Observer

It didn't look like much: an old mill house, like thousands of others scattered around the Carolinas. But a few folks in Belmont could see beyond the modern vinyl siding and rundown appearance. …James Leloudis, associate professor at UNC Chapel Hill, understands why folks in Belmont were so passionate about saving a mill house.

UNC faculty and staff members honored for teaching, service
The Chapel Hill Herald

UNC students recently honored three faculty members, six teaching assistants and one staff member for teaching excellence and service to undergraduate students. …"The importance of this award is to show professors, staff members and teaching assistants that they have an impact on students inside and out of the classroom, even if they do not realize it," said Monique Smith, a sophomore who co-chaired the selection committee. "A kind action or undivided attention toward helping a student leaves lasting impressions on that student and future students to come."
UNC News Release:
http://uncnews.unc.edu/news/students/unc-students-honor-
teachers-and-staff-for-excellence.html

Hooding for doctoral grads slated
The Chapel Hill Herald

The UNC Graduate School's annual doctoral hooding ceremony will feature Dr. Adron Harris, who received his Ph.D. in pharmacology from UNC, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on May 9 at the Dean E. Smith Center on the UNC campus.
Upcoming Events Release:
http://uncnews.unc.edu/news/campus-and-community/upcoming
-events–carolina—may-2009.html

Museum to host Art After Dark
The Chapel Hill Herald

Art After Dark will be held at Ackland Art Museum from 5-9 p.m. May 8 with a cash bar, free admission and live music. This May, enjoy music by the Raging Grannies and a gallery talk on "New Currents in Contemporary Art" featuring exhibition artists and Curator of Exhibitions Barbara Matilsky.
Upcoming Events Release:
http://uncnews.unc.edu/news/campus-and-community/upcoming
-events–carolina—may-2009.html

Seminar set on 2 philosophy books
The Chapel Hill Herald

"Moral Philosophy: Two of the Modern Classics" is a seminar that will explore what organizers say are two of the best books ever written on moral theory: Immanuel Kant's "The Metaphysics of Morals" and John Stuart Mill's "On Liberty." The event will be at 4:30 p.m. May 8 and 12:30 p.m. May 9 on the UNC campus. …Discussions will be led by Geoffrey Sayre-McCord, Morehead Alumni Distinguished Professor and chair of the philosophy department in the College of Arts and Sciences, and will include topics on the good and the right, the value of happiness, the nature of duty and the categorical imperative.
Upcoming Events Release:
http://uncnews.unc.edu/news/campus-and-community/upcoming
-events–carolina—may-2009.html

Guided tours of UNC garden
The Chapel Hill Herald

Guided tours of the North Carolina Botanical Garden plant collections will be held at the Botanical Garden's main visitor site on U.S. 15-501 Bypass and Old Mason Farm Road. Meet at the stone gathering circle in front of the Totten Center from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday.

Issues and Trends

UNC's Bowles' retirement plan not a surprise (Blog)
The News & Observer (Raleigh)

UNC system President Erskine Bowles' plan to step down at age 65 is no surprise to those who hired him. Bowles, whose plan was reported Sunday in this story and this related interview transcript, told his bosses with the UNC system's governing board from the start that he would likely follow the tradition set by past university leaders and leave at that age.

State workers riled over cuts
The Carrboro Citizen

State workers plan to rally at the Legislature Tuesday to try to convince legislators that recent pay cuts and health insurance hikes are hurting their ranks. UNC Employee Forum chair Tommy Griffin said he’s heard a steady stream of feedback after Gov. Beverly Perdue’s actions Tuesday exacerbated what was already shaping up as a tough year for state employees. Citing lower than projected revenues, the governor instituted a 0.5 percent annual pay cut for workers, which will be deducted out of their remaining paychecks for the fiscal year ending June 30. Perdue also is requiring workers to take a 10-hour unpaid furlough.
Related Link:
http://www.newsobserver.com/opinion/letters/story/1508349.html

Pain, perspective (Editorial)
The News & Observer (Raleigh)

No employer enjoys the prospect of telling dedicated workers that they will have to absorb salary reductions or unpaid furloughs. Yet that's the news many have had to deliver to employees in recent months, and it's what Governor Perdue brought to state workers this week. Her reductions are fairly small, with salaries cut by one-half of 1 percent. Employees will be able to take 10 hours of flexible time off if they choose.

Health Plan's trouble long kept quiet
The News & Observer (Raleigh)

Administrators of the struggling State Health Plan did not inform legislators for at least four months last year about multimillion-dollar financial problems, the state auditor's office reported Thursday. Administrators of the plan — which insures 667,000 teachers, state employees and retirees — underestimated both revenues and claim expenses, creating a nearly $80 million loss last year, the audit said.

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